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With more than 340,000 living alumni, the University of South Carolina has stories to tell, and Carolinian is here to tell them. From celebrated artists, scientists and business leaders to everyday alumni who embody the spirit of Carolina, this is our story — and this is your magazine.

Carolinian is published three times a year and distributed to members of the USC Alumni Association. Select features from the print edition can be found here, alongside web-exclusive stories, videos and interviews that celebrate our successes, revisit our history and remind us what it means to be a Carolinian. Forever to thee!

Vision Statement

Columbia artist Blue Sky has been livening up the city’s public spaces for half a century, and he’s not done yet. In fact, Carolinian was arranging a photo shoot at Tunnelvision, Sky’s iconic downtown mural, when he decided it was due for a refresh. The next day, the 85-year-old Sky pulled up in the 1971 Volkswagen van he has used as a mobile studio for the last 50 years and got to work.
 
Carolinians don’t just have vision; we follow through. Witness evolutionary biologist Tim Mousseau, whose research at Chernobyl continued, even in the face of the war in Ukraine. Witness Chynna A. Phillips, who works tirelessly to address poverty in South Carolina. Witness Hope Rivers, a first-generation college student who is now president of Piedmont Tech. Witness every Carolinian featured in our latest issue and be inspired by their vision.

Meet Blue Sky
Cover of the Carolinian magazine featuring Blue Sky.
Chynna A. Phillips talking with two other people.

The Meaning of Magis

As senior director of policy and research at Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, Chynna A. Phillips is taking on poverty one partnership at a time.

Meet Chynna A. Phillips 

 

 

  • An illustration of Tim Mousseau catching a train out of Ukraine due to the incoming retribution by Vladimir Putin.

  • Beyond Chernobyl

    Evolutionary biologist Tim Mousseau has been studying the ecological effects of radiation at Chernobyl for decades, even during wartime.

    Meet Tim Mousseau

First Gen, Next Gen

First generation college graduate Hope Rivers inspires a new generation as president of Piedmont Technical College.

Meet Hope Rivers
Portrait of Hope Rivers.
Photo of a Gamecock baseball player sliding into home.

Slide Show!

Gamecock baseball turned the corner in 2023 — and thanks to the hustle of players like infielder Will McGillis, we put plenty of runs across the plate.

The First Sitting

Alumnus Jim Barrow prefers to keep his philanthropy quiet, but when you’ve given as much support to your alma mater as he has, a thank-you is in order.

Meet Jim Barrow
Portrait of Jim Barrow (right) stands with his granddaughter, Callie.

Web Extra

Catching Up with David Shields

In 2019, English professor and heirloom foodways expert David Shields took us to rural Spartanburg County to learn about a variety of corn once grown by Thomas Jefferson that was thought to be extinct. 

For the debut of Catching Up, our new Carolinian web series where we follow up with people featured in our print edition, we joined Shields in Pomaria, South Carolina to meet legendary heirloom seed saver, Carold Wicker.  

Catch up with David ShIelds
David Shields taking notes on seed samples in glass jars.

Inside Carolina

Spring game, USC Beaufort

This month, the Inside Carolina video series takes you to the annual Spring Game — part of Big Gamecock Weekend — for an early look at Gamecock football and all the excitement around USC athletics. And for those of you living in or heading to the Lowcountry, we head to the University of South Carolina Beaufort to explore the vibrant role of the Center for the Arts.

Things move quickly at the University of South Carolina, and it can be hard to keep up. Inside Carolina, the university’s monthly email for alumni, delivers timely profiles, video stories and the latest news about your alma mater directly to your inbox 12 times a year.

Sign Up Today
The football team in the middle of a play during the spring game.

Join the Alumni Association

While you’re a student for a short time, you’re a Gamecock for a lifetime. Join the alumni association to connect with a strong network of Gamecocks and give back to our beloved university. Our members enable us to engage more students, host more alumni events and programs, and build the brand of South Carolina around the world.

USC ALUMNI
Three alumni wearing Carolina gear at a tailgate with Williams-Brice Stadium behind them.
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